Tension-indicator for sewing-machines



- S. P. SLEPPY. Tension Indicator for Sewing Machines.

Patented May 17, 1864.

h izuk Nani! I U N i c ai UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON 1. SLEPPY, Ol WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 412.80 I, dated May 17,1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, SIMON P. SLEPPY, of Wilkes-Barre, Luzernecounty,State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and improved mode ofascertaining degrees of tension on the threads of sewing-machines andknitting-machines which is required on variousfabrics; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description thereof,reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in making a sewing-machine andknitting-machine iensionindicator, as more iully described hereinafter.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use n1yir1\'ention,[will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

It consists of a tube, 0, within which is a coiled spring,f, surroundingan indicator'bar, b, with degrees marked thereon. This bar has a hook,c, on its outer end, the object of which is to allow the operator,whenever he desires to ascertain the degrees of tension upon the threadsof sewing-machines or knitting-machines, to seize the thread with thishook. It has on the other end a male screw entering a female screw, 0,which is to regulate the force of the springf. Screw d is to keepspringfand bar 1) within case a.

Accompanying this tension-indicator, but forming no part of it, I have,if desired,a number ofpieces of fabrics of different kinds andthicknesses, which I generallyfasten together in the form of a book orroll, and on these diflerent pieces 1 have rows of stitching, and oneach piece 1 also place a number which corresponds to a number on theindicator 1) and shows the tension used to makejust such a stitch.

In order to use my invention,the operator takes hold of the tube a andhooks the hook c on the thread. The thread-tension device is thenadjusted untilthe thread is held, as will be indicated by the graduatedscale 011 bar b of my tension-indicator, at the degree of tensiondesired.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The tension-indicator made substantially as herein described and for thepurpose set forth.

SIMON P. SLEPPY.

\Vitnesses.

J. M. BARRETT. A. MoRsE.

